I Have Old Implants from 1987 Should I Have Them Out?

Question

Please tell me what to do I have old implants 1987 silicon 250cc they look pretty much the same a little smaller in size. Should I have them removed. I don't want new one put back in just go natural. Also they don't like the leaking. Can I keep them in for as long as I'm alive I'm 55 yrs old. What do you recommend

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	I would suggest that you do either an MRI to rule out leakage of the silicone breast implants placed in 1987  or have them removed altogether.

	Generally speaking what breasts look like after explantation  depends on several factors such as: the quality of skin elasticity (the better the elasticity the better the skin will bounce back),  the size of the implants used (the larger the implant the more trouble you may have with redundant skin), and the amount of breast tissue present at this time (which may have changed since the time of your breast augmentation). 

	Life experience since your breast augmentation procedure, such as pregnancy or weight gain weight loss, will  potentially influence the factors discussed above. If you take these factors into consideration and apply them  to your specific circumstances you may get a good idea of what to expect if you choose to have the breast implants removed.

	Consultation with a well experienced board-certified plastic surgeon may be helpful to you.

	Best wishes.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Removal of breast implants, intact or ruptured, may have positive implications if patients are symptomatic. A constellation of symptoms associated with breast implant illness, and autoimmune disease are considered when treating patients who have breast implants and are concerned about foreign body reaction. In our office, we begin this journey with a consideration of symptoms and exclusion of obvious autoimmune problems. In many of our patients, en bloc removal of breast implants with capsulectomy is important and beneficial. Further clinical evidence about breast implant illness is evolving and will continue to guide treatment. I would suggest removal if there is a possibility of foreign body reaction.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Edwin C. Pound, III, MD · Answer

I have two thoughts about that:   First, as we say in the South, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."  I have seen many of my father's patients who have had silicone gel implants for 30+ years with no problems.  On the flip side of that coin, I tell patients that it is easier to remove or change out old implants before they break rather than waiting until after they break.  When those old silicone gel implants break, the gel may come out as long gooey strands of silicone gel which is a mess for us to deal with.  We can get it out without any problem but it tends to make our gloves and instruments sticky.  The newer silicone gel implants are much more cohesive and therefore tend to come out as a single lump rather than long strands if they break.  If you choose to remove your old implants, you have the option of replacing them with newer cohesive silicone gel implants, saline implants, or simply leaving them out altogether.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

There is not definitive answer toyour question. I was about to write the same thing as Dr. Pound wrote before I saw what he wrote.  Patient's state that they were told to have them exchange after 10 years and if they were soft I told them leave them alone. But as they get older, they are at a higher ris to rupture. It really is your choice.

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

While eventually all breat implant outer shells will crack and leak, there's no  way to predict when this will happen. The best way to asses silicone gel implants is with a MRI scan which will show even a small perforation. You could ave ruptured silicone gel implants and have no symptoms of any kind. 

	Your options are:

	- do nothing 

	- remove the implants but be prepared for smaller , sagging breasts 

	- obtain a MRI and decide if to leave the implants alone based on the results. 

	Good Luck

I Have Old Implants from 1987 Should I Have Them Out?

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I Have Old Implants from 1987 Should I Have Them Out?

Answers (5)

Answer: Breast implants

Answer: Breast implants

Answer: What to do with Old Breast Implants?

Answer: What to do with Old Breast Implants?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.